flash for K100D: what should I look for?

*WMBP* · 02-26-2007, 01:01 AM

I'm not crazy about flash photography and have been using the built-in flash on my K100D when I absolutely had to use a flash. But now I'm thinking about buying a proper flash unit. Problem is, I don't understand the options. There seem to be two different Pentax units (360 and 540), something made by Metz, a couple of different models by Sigma and another couple by Sunpak.

I have read other threads and I gather that the Pentax 540 is regarded as an excellent choice. But it's a bit more expensive than I'd like right now. I could of course just go with the Pentax 360, but I'm trying to understand the differences and options. I gather that the Pentax 360 is similar to the 540 but does not have a swivel. What about the other brands? One of the Sigmas is about $150 at bandhphoto.com, and that's about what I'd like to spend. Any reason to worry about third-party flash units? And what about Sunpak? They inexpensive, which is good. But is it the case here that you get what you pay for?

I'm open to any kind of advice here. I'm not so much looking for recommendations as for explanations of the options, so I can decide for myself with some understanding. Thanks.

Will

*Ed in GA* · 02-26-2007, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by WMBP

I'm not crazy about flash photography and have been using the built-in flash on my K100D when I absolutely had to use a flash. But now I'm thinking about buying a proper flash unit. Problem is, I don't understand the options. There seem to be two different Pentax units (360 and 540), something made by Metz, a couple of different models by Sigma and another couple by Sunpak.

I have read other threads and I gather that the Pentax 540 is regarded as an excellent choice. But it's a bit more expensive than I'd like right now. I could of course just go with the Pentax 360, but I'm trying to understand the differences and options. I gather that the Pentax 360 is similar to the 540 but does not have a swivel. What about the other brands? One of the Sigmas is about $150 at bandhphoto.com, and that's about what I'd like to spend. Any reason to worry about third-party flash units? And what about Sunpak? They inexpensive, which is good. But is it the case here that you get what you pay for?

I'm open to any kind of advice here. I'm not so much looking for recommendations as for explanations of the options, so I can decide for myself with some understanding. Thanks.

Will

I have both the 360 and 540. The 360 has only a tilt head whereas the 540 does both tilt and swivel. I believe the 540 is also more powerful. Has the option of using an external power pack and if using off camera with a cord does not require the use of an adapter.

Both have the wireless function but with the K100D (I have one as well) you either have to have two of the same or one of each to use the wireless function. The K10 has this feature built in so it only requires one.

If you intend to purchase only one, the 540 is fairly priced utilizing the $50 rebate. You can pick one up on line, when they are available, for about $339 less the rebate for a new price of $289.

Hope this helped.

Ed

*WMBP* · 02-26-2007, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by EddyinGA

I have both the 360 and 540. The 360 has only a tilt head whereas the 540 does both tilt and swivel.

Thanks, Ed.

Why do I care whether the flash tilts only or tilts AND swivels? I can guess that if you can tilt AND swivel you have more options for bouncing the flash. But how big a deal is that for someone who doesn't much like to use the flash in the first place? Am I right in assuming that even the 360 will be a big improvement over the built-in flash on the K100D?

And I'd be grateful still to hear anything anybody could tell me about the third-party alternatives that I mentioned (from Sigma, Sunpak, etc.). They're cheaper than the Pentax flashes. Are they also not as good? Even with the rebate, the 540 is a bit more than I'd like to spend.

Thanks,

Will

*Alvin* · 02-26-2007, 08:33 PM

Hi Will,

The reason why you would want the flash to tilt or swivel is so that you can aim the flash for the ceiling or off something else in order to avoid getting a harsh background shadow behind your subject. It also helps in some cases to fill the background with more light.

Hope that helps.

ccallana · 02-26-2007, 09:38 PM

The swivel is good if you shoot in portrait orientation - you can still bounce off the ceiling.

The Sigma flashes are good alternatives I've heard. Only issue with them is they typically are behind the curve in supporting new cameras. So for instance if you bought it now, and then bought a K10D, it might not work, and you'd have to send it back to the factory for a rechip. Who knows what kind of support they will have in the future for new bodies. The Pentax flashes are much more likely to be fully compatible.

I don't know anything about the Metz system, or the others. If you don't want P-TTL and are willing to do a few things manually, I think some of the really cheap flashes will work fine - but you'll have to get some other opinions on that...

I got the 540 for Christmas this year - I too am not a big fan of flash, but sometimes you really need it, and I didn't want to get stuck out growing something in a few months - so I went with the top of the line

probably way more than I needed, but it works awesome!

*WMBP* · 02-26-2007, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by ccallana

The swivel is good if you shoot in portrait orientation - you can still bounce off the ceiling.

Ah, there's the explanation I've been looking for. I knew why I need tilt. I could not figure out why I needed swivel. I thought maybe it was so you could bounce the flash off the wall rather than ceiling and perhaps that would be useful, but being able to bounce off the ceiling while you shoot in portrait orientation - got it, that makes sense. Thanks.

The Sigma flashes are good alternatives I've heard. Only issue with them is they typically are behind the curve in supporting new cameras. So for instance if you bought it now, and then bought a K10D, it might not work, and you'd have to send it back to the factory for a rechip. Who knows what kind of support they will have in the future for new bodies. The Pentax flashes are much more likely to be fully compatible.

I don't know anything about the Metz system, or the others. If you don't want P-TTL and are willing to do a few things manually, I think some of the really cheap flashes will work fine - but you'll have to get some other opinions on that...

I got the 540 for Christmas this year - I too am not a big fan of flash, but sometimes you really need it, and I didn't want to get stuck out growing something in a few months - so I went with the top of the line - probably way more than I needed, but it works awesome!

This all makes sense. Sounds like perhaps I should spring for the 540 - although it's hard to find in stock. Seems like a lot of the best Pentax stuff isn't available!

Thanks a lot,

Will

sft · 02-26-2007, 09:55 PM

The swivel head is exactly why I am going for the 540 too - as this way bouncing can be done in portrait orientation - which is uhhmm yes how I shoot my portraits!

Im also thinking I will only buy a flash once so just spend $150 more and get the best one and be done with it. Its also more powerful which is useful for bouncing, after-all bouncing is a huge advantage of an external flash over the built in flash on the cameras. Lastly its a Pentax and so is likely to work with future models and also I can use it on my K10 in Wireless mode too. Its impossible to find in stock though! If you find it in stock anywhere please do let us know where as I need one too - right now I have it on order form Adorama but I dont know when they will get more stock.

DavidR · 02-28-2007, 02:47 PM

I have the AF360, and it has changed the way I shoot with the K100D. I was shooting available light to keep flesh tones natural, but my 16 month old granddaughter moves around a lot, and I was getting blurring at the slower shutter speeds I had to use (not camera shake, but subject blurring).

With the 360, I use nothing but bounce, and shoot at shutter priority 1/125. In many cases, the pics are underexposed a bit, but I easily correct that on the computer. But the pictures are clear and still, and the colors are really beautiful once I get through with them, particularly the flesh tones -- none of that brown tone from head-on flash.

I have also used the P setting on the camera, and it tends to pick 1/45 or 1/60, and in a lot of cases that's fine, and the shots aren't underexposed.

roscot · 03-01-2007, 03:20 AM

Between the 2 Sigma flashes, the ST is a basic unit that will not allow you to use the more advanced flash features such as high speed sync, trailing curtain flash, slave modes, etc.

So if you are just looking for a basic unit to use for events, family outings and the like, it is a good choice. If you think you will want to explore more advanced functionality the "Super" would be a better choice.

I own a EF500 DG Super. It does a very good job. Sigma did a good and more importantly - fast - job of rechipping for the K series. Unfortunately, they did it before the new firmware for the K10 came out, so still no wireless control from the on board flash. That of course, is the one down side to a 3rd party flash. They have to reverse engineer any changes Pentax makes to the system.